Systems, dispensers and methods for laundry additives

ABSTRACT

A system for introducing laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine comprises a unit dose package including a first compartment containing a first laundry additive material, a second compartment containing a second laundry additive material, and optionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundry additive material, and a dispenser. The dispenser is adapted for interchangeable use with unit dose packages containing two, three or more compartments, and includes a housing structure comprising a first chamber adapted to receive the unit dose package. The housing structure is arrangeable in a first position to receive the unit dose package and a second position to secure the unit dose package in the first chamber. The dispenser further includes first compartment piercing elements adapted to open the first compartment and, if included, the third compartment; a second compartment piercing element adapted to open the second compartment; and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. The first compartment piercing elements are adapted to open the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, by arranging the housing structure from the first position to the second position, and at least the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, are adapted to then release the first laundry additive material and the third laundry additive material, if included, for gravitational flow for use in a wash cycle. The second compartment of the unit dose package is adapted to release the second laundry additive material to the second chamber during a spin cycle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser.No. 60/526,642 filed Dec. 3, 2003 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Ser. No. 10/366,204, filed Feb. 13, 2003 which claims the benefit ofprovisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/356,544, filed Feb. 13, 2002;U.S. Ser. No. 10/366,100, filed Feb. 13, 2003 which claims the benefitof provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/356,543, filed Feb. 13,2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10/289,936, filed Nov. 7, 2002; and U.S. Ser. No.10/737,429, filed Dec. 16, 2003 which claims the benefit of provisionalapplication U.S. Ser. No. 60/435,646, filed Dec. 20, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems, dispensers and methods, foradding laundry additive materials to the drum (tub) of an automaticfabric laundering (washing) machine during a multiple cycle operation.The laundry additive materials are packaged in separate compartments ofa unit dose package which is inserted into a dispenser located withinthe washing machine drum in order to effect dispensing of the laundryadditive materials into the washing machine drum at the appropriatestages or cycles. In a specific embodiment, the systems, dispensers andmethods are interchangeably operable with unit dose packages containingtwo, three or more separate compartments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a great many types of laundry additive materials suitable foruse in automatic washing machines for fabric laundering. Cleaning agentssuch as surfactants and detergent builders are used to assist in themechanical removal of soil and stains from fabrics being laundered.Bleaching agents, enzymes and adjuvants relating thereto are designed topromote chemical degradation and removal of soils and stains. Fabricconditioners, softeners, anti-wrinkle agents, soil release materials andsimilar agents serve to alter and enhance the condition, appearance orfeel of laundered fabrics. Other auxiliary materials, such as pHadjustment and control agents, buffers, solvents, dispersants,anti-redeposition agents, dye transfer inhibitors, stabilizers,preservatives, perfumes, dyes and the like are used to alter the aqueousenvironment in the automatic washing machine drum to provide for optimumperformance of the active laundry additive materials or to improve thequality or aesthetics of commercialized laundry products containingthese active additive materials.

The various types of laundry additive materials are frequentlyintermingled or admixed together in a wide variety of combinations forconvenience and are commonly marketed to consumers in bulk quantities,in either solid, i.e., granular or tablet, or liquid form. To carry outthe laundering operation, the consumer then adds aliquots of product asneeded or desired from the bulk products into the automatic washingmachine drum in appropriate amounts and at appropriate times during thelaundering cycle.

It would be desirable, and a number of attempts have been made, tomarket fabric laundering products in “unit dose” form whereby aliquotsof laundry additive materials are provided in pre-measured, pre-packagedform. The consumer can then conveniently add one of these unit dosealiquots to the automatic washing machine, e.g., into the drum, at thebeginning of the laundry cycle and not have to measure product from bulkor add product to the cycle at different subsequent points in time.

Several factors complicate the provision of certain types of laundryadditive materials in unit dose form. For example, some types and formsof laundry additives are not compatible with each other within a singleconcentrated product. Different types of materials may chemicallyinteract with each other when admixed in concentrated form, therebydegrading and rendering one or both types ultimately ineffective for itsintended purpose. Such incompatibility works against combining suchmaterials together within a single unit dose product.

Another complicating factor in providing unit dose laundry products isthat different types of laundry additives work best under different setsof conditions. Such different conditions are those which occur as thelaundering operation progresses through its cycles which generallyinclude one or more washing stages and one or more rinsing stages withinthe drum. The need therefore arises to add different types of laundryadditives to the washing machine drum at different times during thelaundering procedure. For example, a number of types of fabricconditioners and softeners and other additives are best added to therinse stages of the laundering operation, subsequent to the cleaningstage. In some cases, rinse-stage materials may not work in the way theyare intended if they are present in the relatively high pH washingstages with chemically incompatible surfactants, builders, enzymes andother types of materials which perform their functions in the washingcycle(s). Thus, even when provided in unit dose form, a number ofmaterials which are typically thought of as rinse additives must beplaced in the washing machine during the rinse cycle, well after theinitial stages of the laundering operation have begun. This can createthe need for the consumer to return to the washing machine at thebeginning of the rinse cycle to add the materials which are to functionduring the rinsing operation. In other cases, it may be desirable todesign laundry cycles with multiple wash and/or rinse cycles and it maybe desired to place a washing additive such as a detergent in a unitdose form to be released in one or more wash cycles.

Devices which can dispense laundry additive materials into one or morestages of a machine laundering operation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,186,573 and PCT Publication WO 01/25526. Products in the form of apouch or container which can be used for the staged or delayeddispensing of laundry additive materials into a machine fabriclaundering operation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,026,131;4,260,054; and 4,588,080; and in Canadian Patent 1,133,712. Arrangementsinvolving a dispensing device and a pre-packaged amount of laundryadditive material for staged or timed dispensing during a launderingoperation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,379,515 and 4,882,917 and inPCT Publications WO 01/07703 and WO 01/07702.

A number of attempts have been made to permit the consumer to placelaundry additive materials into devices or dispensers at the beginningof the laundering operation with those devices or dispensers serving toadd the additives to the laundry cycle automatically. Addition can thusoccur without further consumer involvement when the appropriate cycle isreached later in the laundering operation. Many such devices anddispensers operate by having their dispensing action activated by thecentrifugal force. Centrifugal force, of course, arises as a consequenceof the spin cycle in the machine laundering process. A fast spin cyclegenerally follows the washing step and serves to drain the washingmachine drum of wash water prior to the addition of rinse water for therinse cycle which follows the spin cycle.

Use of centrifugal force activated devices, dispensers or packages fordelivery of laundry additives to the laundry cycles in an automaticlaundering machine operation is not without its difficulties. In thefirst place, it is not simple or straightforward to fashion suchdevices, dispensers or packages in a way such that they are useful withor as unit dose packages of additives. In the second place, systemsutilizing unit dose packages of laundry additives must be designed sothat the unit dose can survive the stresses and rigors of one or morestages of the laundering operation while remaining unopened and intact.Finally, the centrifugal force-activated dispensing means for the unitdose must be configured so that the unit dose of laundry additives isnot added to the washing machine drum too soon after the spin cyclebegins. If the additive contents of the unit dose are released into thedrum too early, much of these contents are lost with the water beingdrained from the drum during the spin cycle.

Given the foregoing difficulties in formulating unit dose products, itis desirable to provide systems, dispensers and methods which caneffectively utilize additive products in unit dose form to deliverlaundry adjuvants to the drum of an automatic fabric laundering machineduring the machine's various operational cycles. Moreover, as unit dosepackages can vary in the number of separate compartments and additivematerials provided thereby, it would be advantageous to provide systems,dispensers and methods suitable for use with various unit dose packages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides improved systems, dispensersand methods for introducing laundry additive materials to an automaticwashing machine. The present invention further provides such systems,dispensers and methods which facilitate addition of two or more laundryadditive materials at different cycles of an automatic washing machineprocess.

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a system for introducinglaundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine. The systemcomprises a unit dose package including a first compartment containing afirst laundry additive material and a second compartment containing asecond laundry additive material, and optionally at least a thirdcompartment containing a third laundry additive material, and adispenser. The dispenser includes a housing structure comprising a firstchamber adapted to receive the unit dose package, wherein the housingstructure is arrangeable in a first position to receive the unit dosepackage and a second position to secure the unit dose package in thefirst chamber; first compartment piercing elements adapted to open thefirst compartment and, if included, the third compartment; a secondcompartment piercing element adapted to open the second compartment; anda second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. Thefirst compartment piercing elements are adapted to open the firstcompartment and the third compartment, if included, by arranging thehousing structure from the first position to the second position, andafter the housing structure is arranged in the second position, at leastthe first compartment and the third compartment, if included, areadapted to release the first laundry additive material and the thirdlaundry material, if included, from the unit dose package forgravitational flow from the dispenser for use in a wash cycle of awashing machine. The second compartment of the unit dose package isadapted to release the second laundry additive material to the secondchamber during a spin cycle of a washing machine.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a dispenser adaptedto receive a unit dose package including a first compartment and asecond compartment, and optionally at least a third compartment, forintroducing laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine.The dispenser comprises a housing structure comprising a first chamberadapted to receive a unit dose package, wherein the housing structure isarrangeable in a first position to receive a unit dose package and asecond position to secure a unit dose package in the first chamber;first compartment piercing elements adapted to open a first compartmentand optionally at least a third compartment; and a second compartmentpiercing element adapted to open a second compartment. The first chamberis substantially free of the first and second compartment piercingelements when the housing structure is arranged in the first positionand the first compartment piercing element extends into the firstchamber to open a first compartment and optionally a third compartmentof a unit dose package by arranging the housing structure from the firstposition to the second position.

In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to a dispenseradapted to receive a unit dose package including a first compartment anda second compartment, and optionally at least a third compartment, forintroducing first, second, and optionally at least third, laundryadditive materials to an automatic washing machine. The dispensercomprises a housing structure comprising a first chamber adapted toreceive a unit dose package, and a second chamber in fluid communicationwith the first chamber, wherein the housing structure is arrangeable ina first position to receive a unit dose package and a second position tosecure a unit dose package in the first chamber; first compartmentpiercing elements adapted to open a first compartment and optionally athird compartment by arranging the housing structure from the firstposition to the second position; and a second compartment piercingelement adapted to open a second compartment. The housing structure isadapted to dispense a first laundry additive material and optionally athird laundry additive material by gravitational flow from the dispenserin a wash cycle of a washing machine, and is adapted to receive andsubstantially contain a second laundry additive material in the secondchamber during a spin cycle of a washing machine.

Further, the invention is directed to a method of introducing laundryadditive materials to an automatic washing machine. The method comprisesattaching a dispenser to a drum of a washing machine, the dispenserincluding a housing structure arrangeable in a first position and asecond position and comprising a first chamber, first compartmentpiercing elements, and a second compartment piercing element; andinserting a unit dose package into the first chamber while the dispenseris arranged in the first position. The unit dose package includes afirst compartment containing a first laundry additive material and asecond compartment containing a second laundry additive material, andoptionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundryadditive material. The method further comprises arranging the dispenserin the second position to secure the unit dose package in the firstchamber, open the first compartment with a first compartment piercingelement, and release the first laundry additive material from the unitdose package for gravitational flow from the dispenser and, if a thirdcompartment is included, open the third compartment with a firstcompartment piercing element and release the third laundry additivematerial from the unit dose package for gravitational flow from thedispenser; opening the second compartment with the second compartmentpiercing element, the second laundry additive material beingsubstantially contained within the second compartment prior to a spincycle; initiating a wash cycle of the washing machine wherein the firstlaundry additive material is mixed with water within the washingmachine; initiating the spin cycle of the washing machine such that thesecond laundry additive material is released from the second compartmentand substantially contained within the dispenser during the spin cycle;and initiating a rinse cycle of the washing machine such that the secondlaundry additive material is released from the dispenser and mixed withwater contained within the washing machine drum.

The systems, dispensers and methods according to the present inventionare advantageous for addition of laundry additive materials in anautomatic washing machine for fabric laundering. The systems, dispensersand methods are particularly advantageous for allowing addition ofseparate laundry additive materials at different stages of an automaticwashing machine operation, and are particularly advantageous forinterchangeable use of unit dose packages of two, three or morecompartments. These and additional advantages will be more fully evidentin view of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description describes various embodiments of theinvention defined by the claims and will be more fully understood inview of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a dispenser in accordance with one embodimentof the invention, in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser in a closed position,taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser in an openposition taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a portion of the housing structure ofthe dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top view of one embodiment of a first chamber bottom platein the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the housing base of the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a unit dose package according to one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a unit dose package according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the unit dose package of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are partial cross sectional views of a pivotingpiercing element for use in a dispenser according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are partial cross-sectional views of a centrifugallyactuated piercing element for use in a dispenser according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a system according to oneembodiment of the invention wherein a unit dose package is inserted in adispenser.

The various embodiments shown in the drawings are fully discussed in thefollowing detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The systems, dispensers and methods of the present invention areintended to provide dispensing of laundry additive materials intodifferent stages of the laundering process from a single unit dosepackage which contains such additives. Such additive materials aredispensed into the washing machine as the machine proceeds through itsoperational wash and rinse cycles. This is accomplished using adispenser having a substantially rigid housing structure which ispositioned within the machine and which holds and opens a unit dosepackage containing the additive materials to be dispensed.

Dispensing of laundry additive materials in accordance with thisinvention takes place in a conventional automatic washing machine usefulfor the laundering of fabrics. Such automatic washing machines are thosetypically found in the home or in businesses such as self-servicelaundromats wherein individual consumers can launder their own loads offabrics.

Automatic washing machines of the “North American” configurationtypically utilize an upright or vertical drum or tub into which fabricsto be laundered are placed. Fabrics and laundry additives are added intothe washing machine tub or drum, which is usually cylindrical, from thelidded top of the machine and are thus generally referred to as“top-loading” machines. Such North American style machines willfrequently utilize a vertical agitator element placed along the axis ofthe drum. Rotation and vertical motion of the agitator serves tointensify the contact of fabrics in the drum with wash and rinse waterin the drum. Japanese washing machines are typically similar inconfiguration to the North American machines.

Automatic washing machines of the “European” configuration commonlyutilize a drum or tub, also generally cylindrical, which is positionedwith the drum axis sideways or in a horizontal position. Fabrics andlaundry additive materials are placed into the tub or drum of a washingmachine of this configuration though a door on the front wall of themachine and are thus generally referred to as “front-loading” machines.Automatic washing machines of the European configuration typically donot utilize an agitator device or element.

Both North American and European automatic washing machines utilize acycle of operation wherein the machine goes through a series of steps inwhich water is added, contacted with fabrics being laundered and thenremoved from the washing machine drum. Typically, after fabrics areadded to the drum, the first step in the laundering cycle is a washingstep wherein significant amounts of water are added to the drum. Thewashing step involves a period wherein the fabrics being laundered arecontacted with substantial amounts of water, generally with agitation orrotation of the drum. Water in the washing step will usually contain theprimary laundry wash additives such as surfactants, builders, bleachesand/or enzymes which assist in and promote the removal of soil andstains from the fabrics being laundered.

At the conclusion of the washing step, water is removed from the washingmachine drum. Frequently, this is brought about by gravity flow of washwater from the drum through appropriate valve configurations. Generallywash water is also removed by means of centrifugal force brought aboutby the drum rotating rapidly in a spin cycle. This centrifugal forcemoves water in the drum through holes or apertures in thecircumferential walls of the drum. These holes lead to drainage meanswhich can be opened and shut.

After the initial spin cycle, clean water is added back to the drum in arinse cycle. Secondary laundry rinse additives such as fabric softenersor conditioners are generally contacted with the fabrics being launderedduring the rinse cycle. Washing machine operation may also involveseveral additional spinning and rinsing cycles.

The present invention relates to systems, dispensers and methods whichallow cycle specific dispensing of laundry additive materials into thedrum of an automatic washing machine during fabric launderingoperations. For purposes of this invention, “laundry additive materials”or simply “additives” can comprise any solid or liquid materials whichare conventionally added to the automatic washing machine drum during afabric laundering procedure. Thus the list of suitable “laundry additivematerials” includes, but is not limited to, wash additive materials andrinse additive materials. “Wash additive materials” will generally referto any solid or liquid materials which are conventionally added to theautomatic washing machine drum, along with fabrics being laundered,during the wash cycle of the laundering procedure. The wash cycletypically occurs at the beginning of the laundering operation. Mostcommonly, wash additive materials can include, but are not limited to,primary cleaning agents such as detersive surfactants and detergentbuilders, chelating agents, anti-redeposition agents, dispersants, sudssuppressors, suds boosters, and some of the same kinds of cleaningagents like bleaches and enzymes and adjuvants therefore which may alsobe used as rinse additives. “Rinse additive materials” generally includefabric softeners and conditioners, bleaches, enzymes, bleach and enzymestabilizers, bleach and enzyme activators, aqueous and non-aqueoussolvents, pH adjustment and control agents, dye transfer inhibitors,preservatives, anti-microbial agents, soil release agents, anti-wrinkleagents, chelating agents, optical brighteners, perfumes, pro-perfumes,dyes, and carriers. Although there may be some overlap in the twoclasses of materials, “rinse additive materials” are typically differentand distinct from “laundry wash additive materials” or “wash additives.”A more detailed description of various laundry additive materials ofboth the rinse and wash variety can be found in WO 00/02982 and WO00/02987.

The systems according to the present invention for introducing laundryadditive materials to an automatic washing machine comprise a unit dosepackage and a dispenser. Several embodiments of a unit dose packagesuitable for use in the present systems are set forth in FIGS. 10-12while various embodiments and features of dispensers suitable for use inthe present invention are set forth in FIGS. 1-9 and 13-14. FIG. 15shows a system according to the invention comprising both a unit dosepackage and a dispenser. As discussed in further detail hereafter, thesystems, dispensers and methods of the invention are advantageous inallowing interchangeable operation with unit dose packages containingtwo, three or more compartments for respective laundry additivematerials.

With reference to FIGS. 10-12, the unit dose package includes at leastfirst and second compartments containing first and second laundryadditive materials, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, theunit dose package 10 includes a first compartment 12 and a secondcompartment 14. In one embodiment, the first compartment 12 contains awash cycle additive, for example, detergent, and the second compartment14 contains a rinse cycle additive, for example, a fabric softener. Theunit dose package compartments may be formed of a flexible or rigidmaterial and, in one embodiment, are formed as a one piece plasticpackage. As shown in FIG. 11, a unit dose package 20 may be formed withthree compartments 22, 24 and 26, containing first, second and thirdlaundry additive materials, respectively. This may be useful when twoadditive materials are incompatible with each other and may be desirablyseparately packaged until they are added to the washing machine in asingle cycle. For example, compartment 22 may contain a detergentlaundry additive including a bleach-sensitive enzyme component, whilecompartment 26 contains a bleach. Although both additives may bedispensed from their respective compartments during the wash cycle, theyare maintained separately until they are dispensed form the system. Theunit dose package may contain four or more compartments as desired. Unitdose packages of two, three, four or more compartments may be usedinterchangeably in the systems, dispensers and methods of the invention.FIG. 12 sets forth a side view of the unit dose package of FIG. 11provided with a top wall 30. The unit dose package preferably includesan extended portion 18 (FIG. 10), 28 (FIG. 11) which facilitateshandling of the unit dose package, and particularly placement of theunit dose package in a dispenser and removal of the unit dose packagefrom a dispenser, as will be discussed in further detail below. Thecompartments of the unit dose package, once filled with the respectivelaundry additive materials, are covered and sealed with the wall 30 inany suitable manner. Preferably, the wall 30 is a rupturable film orfoil. The wall 30 may be adhered to rim portions 29 of the compartmentsof the unit dose package by adhesive and/or heat sealing and/or othersealing means known in the art.

The unit dose package itself must be sized and configured so as to workcooperatively with the first chamber of the dispenser housing structureinto which it fits and within which it is used. Each compartment of theunit dose package is suitably fashioned from water-insoluble materialand may be flexible or rigid or have some compartments flexible andother compartments rigid. The compartments may be made from anyconventional polymeric material which can be thermoformed or injectionmolded into the desired structure. Polyethylene, polypropylene,polystyrene and polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate) arenon-limiting examples of materials which may be used to form the unitdose package. A polymer material should be chosen which has good heatstability, especially if the unit dose package is to be utilized inEuropean washing machines where water temperatures approach boiling. Thematerial of the unit dose package should also be inert to any chemicalswhich are present in the laundry additives which are contained in therespective compartments. In one embodiment, the unit dose packagecomprises a thermoformed tub formed from water-insoluble plastic, suchas for example, polypropylene or polyethylene. The tub can be sealedwith a thin layer of puncturable or rupturable plastic or metal, e.g.,plastic film or aluminum foil.

The unit dose package is adapted for reception in a first chamber of thedispenser housing. With reference to FIGS. 1-9 and 15, various views ofa dispenser 40 are shown. FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show the dispenserarranged in a closed position and an open position. The dispenserincludes a housing structure 42 comprised of a housing base 44, ahousing top 46, a front cover 48 and a rear cover 50. The housingstructure of the dispenser is adapted for positioning within a washingmachine drum throughout the wash, spin and rinse cycles. Generally, thehousing structure will be positioned within the washing machine drum ina location such that it will be in contact with the rinse water. Onesuitable non-limiting example of an appropriate attachment means isfurther described in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/737,429 filed Dec. 16,2003. Positioning of the housing structure may be accomplished byattaching the housing to some specific point within the washing machinedrum. Alternatively, the housing may be positioned by utilizing anunattached structure which is of such a shape or configuration that itsuitably positions itself within the washing machine drum as aconsequence of the forces it encounters during the laundering operation,or at least during the spin and rinse cycles. Preferably, at thebeginning of the laundering operation, the housing structure will beattached to some specific spot within the washing machine drum whereinit will stay during the entire laundering cycle. The housing structuremay be positioned on or near the washing machine agitator (if there isone) or may be positioned on the floor (top loaders) or rear wall (frontloaders) of the drum. Most preferably, however, the housing structurewill be affixed to the inner circumferential wall of the washing machinedrum in a position so that at least at some point during the rinsingcycle(s) it is in contact with water used in the cycle. For NorthAmerican washing machines, this position will preferably be below thefill line for rinse water in the drum.

As the housing structure should protect the unit dose package during thevarious laundry cycles, the structure may be substantially rigid, i.e.,it does not deform sufficiently to prematurely rupture or otherwise openthe compartments of the unit dose package as a consequence of forces orstresses which it encounters during the laundry cycles. The rigidhousing structure can be fashioned from any suitable solid materialincluding plastic, metal, ceramic, wood, etc. so long as the structuremaintains its configuration and mode of operation through the laundrycycles. In one embodiment, the housing structure is rigid and is formedfrom thermoformed or injection molded plastic so that it can be readilyand cost effectively mass-produced.

The housing structure covers 48 and 50 may be arranged from the firstopen position to the second closed position as shown in the Figures tosecure a unit dose package in a first chamber of the housing structure.More particularly, the front and rear covers may be pivoted between theopen position shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 to the closed positions shown inFIGS. 1 and 5. Various structures will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art for allowing arrangement of the housing structure fromthe first position to the second position. In the embodiment shown inthe Figures, each of the front and rear covers are pivotally connectedwith the housing top 46 to allow pivoting arrangement from the firstposition to the second position. More specifically, with reference toFIGS. 4-7, the front cover 48 includes sidewalls 54 and 56, each havinga rear portion 58 as shown in FIG. 7. The sidewalls 54 and 56 arepivotally connected at their rear portions 58 with the housing top 46 ata pivot formed by insertion of pin 60 into hole 61. Additionally, therear cover 50 includes sidewalls 62 and 64 which are pivotally connectedwith the front cover sidewalls 56 and 58, respectively, by pivot pins 66arranged in aligned holes 68 in the respective sidewalls.

In one embodiment, the front cover 48 is provided with an indentation 70having a lower edge 72 separated from an adjacent portion of the topcover to provide the cover with a handle portion 74. The handle portion74 may be easily gripped by a user, facilitating arrangement of thehousing structure of the dispenser from the open position shown in FIGS.2 and 6 to the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

In the first, open position of the housing structure, the unit dosepackage may be inserted into a first chamber, shown in the Figures aschamber 80. In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber 80 issubstantially enclosed by the front cover 48 and the rear cover 50, thehousing top 46 and the adjacent sidewalls of the covers, a rear wall 47of the rear cover, and a bottom plate 82. The bottom plate 82 is shownin further detail in FIG. 8. The bottom plate 82 provides support forthe unit dose package in the first chamber 80 of the housing structurewhen the housing is arranged to secure the unit dose package therein andpresents the unit dose package for operation of the piercing elements onthe compartments of the unit dose package. The bottom plate 82 has acircumferential footprint which generally corresponds with the housingbase 44 in which it is arranged, and includes upwardly extending sidepanels 84. The side panels 84 are pivotally attached with the sidewalls54, 56 and 62, 64 of the front and rear covers, respectively, at thepivot points formed by pins 66 in holes 68. Accordingly, when thehousing structure is arranged in the open position by pivoting the frontcover 48 from the closed position to an open position, the rear cover 50and the bottom plate 82 are also pivoted in an upward manner as shown inFIGS. 4 and 6.

The bottom plate 82 is also provided with one or more holes or slots,indicated at 86 and 88, which allow extension of piercing elementstherethrough. More particularly, in one embodiment, piercing elements 90and 92 are mounted on the interior of the housing structure base 44, asshown in FIG. 9. As the front cover 48 is pivoted downwardly from theopen position shown in FIG. 6 to the closed position shown in FIG. 5,the bottom plate 82 similarly pivots downwardly to allow the piercingelements 90 to extend through the slots 86 and into chamber 80 and toallow the piercing elements 92 to extend through the slots 88 into thechamber 80. When a unit dose package is placed in the chamber, as shownin further detail in FIG. 15, with the rupturable wall 30 of the unitdose package adjacent and facing the bottom plate 82, the piercingelements are effective to open the adjacent compartment(s). The bottomplate 82 includes one or more additional recesses or slots 94 inproximity to the side plates 84 to receive a lower portion of the sidewalls of the rear cover 48 as the rear cover pivots downwardly to theclosed position. The housing base 44 is provided with additionalpiercing elements 96 at a rearward position, effective to pierce afurther compartment area of a unit dose package contained in thechamber. It will therefore be apparent that the piercing elements may bearranged to function within the first chamber 80 at various positions topierce corresponding compartments of a unit dose package. Accordingly,the unit dose package may contain two, three or more compartments andthe dispenser will functionally cooperate with each such unit dosepackage. The systems of the invention therefore allow a single dispenserto be used interchangeably with two-compartment unit dose packages,containing, for example, detergent and rinse materials, respectively,and three-compartment unit, dose packages, containing, for example,detergent, bleach and rinse materials. The systems employing three ormore compartment unit dose packages allow dispensing of both multipleadditives to one cycle of a wash operation, for example additives whichare not storage stable with one another, and multiple additives todifferent cycles of the wash operation, for example detersive and rinsecycles.

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 5, with aunit dose package as shown in FIG. 11 secured therein, in accordancewith the system of the invention. FIG. 15 shows a vertical orientationof the dispenser 40 positioned on a drum wall 108 in a manner typicallyemployed in a top loading washing machine. The dispenser 40 may bemounted on the drum wall in any suitable manner. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 15, a hook 109 extends within a slot 49 formed in the outer,bottom surface of the housing base 44, and is attached with the drum byinsertion in a hole in the drum wall. An alternate means for mountingthe dispenser on a drum wall is disclosed in US 2004/0172768 A1. Thebase 44 may further include one or more feet 51 which assist inmaintaining the position of the dispenser on the drum wall.

As the housing is arranged to the closed position, and the bottom plate82 is pivoted downwardly, piercing elements 96 extend into a portion ofthe adjacent compartment(s) to open the compartment(s). In unit dosepackage 20, one of the piercing elements 96 pierces compartment 26,while the other piercing element 96 pierces the compartment 22 (notshown in FIG. 15). If a unit dose package having two compartments 12 and14 as shown in FIG. 10 is employed, the piercing elements 96 would bothextend into compartment 12. Additionally, piercing elements 90 extend,respectively into an upper portion of the compartment 22 (not shown inFIG. 15) and into the compartment 24 (as shown in FIG. 15). The openingsmade by the piecing elements 96 cause the first compartment to releasethe first laundry additive therefrom, and the first laundry additiveflows by gravitational force from the dispenser into the washing machineas shown by arrow A. The laundry additive material flows from the firstcompartment through the openings made by the piercing elements 96 andfrom the dispenser through adjacent openings or apertures in the housingstructure. For example, the laundry additive material may flow from thedispenser through the opening 45 formed between the housing base 44 andthe rear wall 47 of the rear cover 48. In addition, or alternatively,the rear wall 47 of the rear cover may include one or more, or aplurality, of apertures allowing flow of a laundry additive materialfrom the dispenser. Thus, a first laundry additive, namely detergent, isreleased upon the closing of the housing structure front cover 46 of thedispenser. In use of a unit dose package 20, a detergent additive may bereleased from compartment 22 and a bleach additive may be released fromcompartment 26, for example, upon closing the front cover, therebypresenting both such additives for a wash cycle. The piercing elements90 and 92 which extend into the upper portions of compartments 22, 26act as auxiliary piercing elements in that they form vent openings inthe wall 30 which permit air flow into the compartments when the laundryadditives are released and thereby allow faster release of therespective laundry additives from the compartments 22 and 26 through theopenings formed by piercing elements 96.

The piercing element 90 which extends into the compartment 24 of theunit dose package shown in FIG. 15, forms an opening in the compartment.However, in a specific embodiment, the opening which is formed in thecompartment wall 30 comprises a slit which does not allow release of thesecond laundry additive contained therein by mere gravitational force.Rather, the second laundry additive is contained in the compartment 24of the unit dose package until the dispenser is subjected to centrifugalforce of a spin cycle in a washing machine. In one embodiment, thiscompartment is opened by a single slit. When the dispenser 40 issubjected to the spin cycle of a washing machine, the second laundryadditive is released from the compartment 24 of the unit dose package toa second chamber 98 of the dispenser, as shown in FIG. 15. The secondchamber is formed between the housing base 44 and the underside of thebottom plate 82 when the dispenser is in the closed arrangement shown inFIGS. 5 and 15. The second chamber 98 is in fluid communication with thefirst chamber 80, for example via the slots 86 and 94, and/or spaces 99formed between the edges of bottom plate 82 and the housing base 44. Thehousing structure, particularly the housing base 44, is adapted tosubstantially contain laundry additive material in the second chamber 98during a spin cycle of a washing machine. In one embodiment, the secondchamber is configured to hold substantially all, for example at least80% by weight, or alternatively, at least 90% by weight, of the laundryadditive material released from the second compartment of the unit dosepackage until the spin cycle is completed. Thus, the centrifugal forcewhich moves the laundry additive material released from the secondcompartment into the second chamber of the dispenser also holds thelaundry additive material within the second chamber, until the spincycle is complete. As will be apparent, the second compartment 24 may bereplaced with two or more second compartments containing respectivelaundry additive materials for addition in later cycles of a washprocedure. In this embodiment, corresponding additional second piercingelements are provided to open each such compartment.

Further, the housing structure 42 comprises a third chamber 100 in fluidcommunication with the second chamber 98. The third chamber 100 is alsoformed between the housing base 44 and the underside of the bottom plate82. A dam 102 is positioned between the second chamber 98 and the thirdchamber 100. The dam 102 is adapted to substantially inhibit flow oflaundry additive material from the second chamber 98 to the thirdchamber 100 during a spin cycle and is adapted to substantially permit agravitational flow of laundry additive material over the dam and intothe third chamber 100 after the spin cycle is completed. At theconclusion of the spin cycle, when the centrifugal force ceases, thelaundry additive material flows from the second chamber 98 to the thirdchamber by gravitational flow over the dam 102, as shown by arrow B.

The third chamber 100 substantially contains laundry additive materialreceived from the second chamber after completion of the spin cycleuntil after a predetermined water level is reached in the washingmachine during a rinse cycle of a washing machine. More particularly,with reference to FIG. 15, the laundry additive material contained inthe third chamber 100 remains in the third chamber until the level ofrinse water in the washing machine rises above the height of the wall104 of the third chamber. As the rinse water rises above the wall 104,and, subsequently above the height of the opposite wall 106, the rinsewater enters the third chamber to dilute and disperse the laundryadditive therein to the drum chamber of the washing machine.Advantageously, this laundry additive is a rinse additive, for example,a fabric softener. In one embodiment, the dispenser is positioned in thewashing machine such that the rinse water will completely submerge thedispenser and therefore wash any remaining laundry additive from boththe second chamber 98 and the third chamber 100, effectively cleaningthe dispenser during the laundry rinse cycle.

In one embodiment, one or more of the piercing elements may be providedwith a pivoting base to more completely remove the piercing element fromthe first compartment when the dispenser housing is in the openposition, thereby preventing any contact between the piercing elementand a user's hand upon insertion or removal of a unit dose package inand from the chamber 80, and/or to more fully extend the piercingelement into a compartment of the unit dose package when the dispenseris arranged to the closed position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13Aand 13B, a piercing element 110 is pivotally mounted on the housing base44 and includes an extension 112 pivotally attached with the bottomplate 82. When the dispenser is in an open arrangement as shown in FIG.13A, the piercing element 110 is fully retracted from the slot 114 inbottom plate 82 and therefore is fully retracted from the first chamber80. As the dispenser is moved from the open arrangement to the closedarrangement, and the bottom plate 82 is pivoted to a lower position asshown in FIG. 13B, the action of the bottom plate 82 on the extension112 causes the piercing element 110 to move through the slot 114 andinto a piercing position in the chamber 80. One of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that one or more of the piercing elements can becaused to retract from and/or extend into the first chamber 80 invarious manners within the scope of the present invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second compartment of theunit dose package is not opened when the housing structure is arrangedin the closed position but rather is opened during a cycle of thelaundry process. For example, the dispenser may include a selectivelyactuatable piercing element which pivots during a spin cycle from aposition in which it does not open the compartment of the unit dosepackage to a position in which it opens the compartment. With referenceto FIGS. 14A and 14B, a piercing device 118 includes a piercing element120 and a weighted extension 122. The piercing device 118 is pivotallymounted at pivot 124 on the housing base 44. The weighted extension 122biases the piercing element 120 in a position shown in FIG. 13A, fullyretracted from the slot 126 in the bottom plate 82 and therefore fullyretracted from the first chamber 80, as shown in FIG. 14A. However, thepiercing device 118 is weighted such that during a spin cycle of alaundry process, the centrifugal force causes the piercing device 118 topivot such that the weighted extension 122 is forced against the housingbase 44 and the piercing element 120 is extended through the slot 126and into a piercing position in the chamber 80, as shown in FIG. 14B.One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or more of thepiercing elements can be caused to retract from and/or extend into thefirst chamber 80 in various manners during a cycle of the laundryprocess within the scope of the present invention.

Opening of each compartment of the unit dose package within the housingstructure should permit most, for example, at least about 80% by weight,85% by weight, 90% by weight, or all, of the contents of the compartmentso opened to be eventually combined with the wash or rinse water presentin the washing machine drum during the cycle in which the contents arereleased. The water in the drum for any cycle during which an additivecompartment is opened will typically eventually have added thereto from5 to 50 grams, preferably from 15 to 35 grams, of additive material as aconsequence of the opening of the additive compartment.

The systems according to the invention comprising the dispenser and unitdose package therefor may be conveniently commercialized by marketingthem in the form of kits. Thus, the dispenser and unit dose packagewhich are to be combined in the systems and methods of this inventionmay be sold together, packaged as a unitary commercial kit product.Furthermore, the unit dose packages may be sold by themselves as refillsfor use in a dispenser which the consumer may have previously purchasedand installed on the washing machine to be used for practice of thisinvention. In the case of refills, the unit dose packages can bemarketed in combination with a set of instructions which describes thepreviously-purchased dispenser into which the unit dose package fits andfurther describes the method of setting up and operating the system inthe consumer's automatic washing machine.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A system for introducing laundry additive materials to an automaticwashing machine, the system comprising: a unit dose package including afirst compartment containing a first laundry additive material and asecond compartment containing a second laundry additive material, andoptionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundryadditive material; and a dispenser adapted for interchangeable use witha unit dose package containing two, three or more compartments, thedispenser including a housing structure comprising a first chamberadapted to receive the unit dose package, wherein the housing structureis arrangeable in a first position to receive the unit dose package anda second position to secure the unit dose package in the first chamber;first compartment piercing elements adapted to open the firstcompartment and, if included, the third compartment; a secondcompartment piercing element adapted to open the second compartment; anda second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber; whereinthe first compartment piercing elements are adapted to open the firstcompartment and the third compartment, if included, by arranging thehousing structure from the first position to the second position;wherein, after the housing structure is arranged in the second position,at least the first compartment and the third compartment, if included,are adapted to release the first laundry additive material and the thirdlaundry additive material, if included, from the unit dose package forgravitational flow from the dispenser for use in a wash cycle of awashing machine; and wherein the second compartment of the unit dosepackage is adapted to release the second laundry additive material tothe second chamber during a spin cycle of a washing machine.
 2. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the second compartment piercingelement is adapted to open the second compartment by arranging thehousing structure from the first position to the second position.
 3. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the second compartment piercingelement comprises a centrifugal pivoting member adapted for centrifugalactuation during a spin cycle of a washing machine.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the second compartment of the unit dosepackage is adapted to substantially contain the second laundry additivematerial until a spin cycle of a washing machine.
 5. The systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the second chamber is adapted tosubstantially contain the second laundry additive material during a spincycle.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the housing structurefurther comprises a third chamber in fluid communication with the secondchamber, and a dam positioned between the second chamber and the thirdchamber, wherein the dam is adapted to substantially inhibit flow of thesecond laundry additive material from the second chamber to the thirdchamber during a spin cycle and the dam is adapted to substantiallypermit a gravitational flow of the second laundry additive material overthe dam and into the third chamber after a spin cycle.
 7. The systemaccording to claim 6, wherein the third chamber is adapted tosubstantially contain the second laundry additive material receivedafter a spin cycle until after a predetermined water level is reached inthe washing machine during a rinse cycle of a washing machine.
 8. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber is substantiallyfree of the first compartment piercing elements when the housingstructure is arranged in the first position and the first compartmentpiercing elements extend into the first chamber when the housingstructure is arranged in the second position.
 9. The system according toclaim 8, wherein the first compartment piercing elements are pivotallyattached to the housing structure for pivotal retraction from the firstchamber and pivotal extension into the first chamber.
 10. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first chamber is substantially free ofthe second compartment piercing element when the housing structure isarranged in the first position.
 11. The system according to claim 1,wherein at least one of the first compartment piercing elements isadapted to open the first compartment by forming an opening in a wall ofthe first compartment, wherein the first laundry additive material maybe released from the first compartment by passing through the opening,and the dispenser further includes an auxiliary first compartmentpiercing element adapted to form a vent opening in the wall of the firstcompartment, wherein the vent opening is adapted to permit air flow intothe first compartment when the first laundry additive material isreleased through the opening in the first compartment wall.
 12. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the second compartment piercingelement is adapted to open the second compartment by forming a slit in awall of the second compartment.
 13. The system according to claim 12,wherein the second compartment piercing element is adapted to open thesecond compartment by forming a single slit in the second compartmentwall.
 14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the unit dose packageincludes a third compartment containing a third laundry additivematerial.
 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one ofthe first compartment piercing elements is adapted to open the thirdcompartment by forming an opening in a wall of the third compartment,wherein the third laundry additive material may be released from thethird compartment by passing through the opening in the thirdcompartment wall, and the dispenser further includes an auxiliarycompartment piercing element adapted to form a vent opening in the wallof the third compartment, wherein the vent opening is adapted to permitair flow into the third compartment when the third laundry additivematerial is released through the opening in the third compartment wall.16. A dispenser adapted to receive a unit dose package including a firstcompartment, a second compartment and optionally at least a thirdcompartment, for introducing laundry additive materials to an automaticwashing machine, the dispenser comprising: a housing structurecomprising a first chamber adapted to receive a unit dose package,wherein the housing structure is arrangeable in a first position toreceive a unit dose package and a second position to secure a unit dosepackage in the first chamber; first compartment piercing elementsadapted to open a first compartment and optionally a third compartment;and a second compartment piercing element adapted to open a secondcompartment; wherein the first chamber is substantially free of thefirst and second compartment piercing elements when the housingstructure is arranged in the first position and the first compartmentpiercing element extends into the first chamber to open a firstcompartment and optionally a third compartment of a unit dose package byarranging the housing structure from the first position to the secondposition.
 17. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the secondcompartment piercing element is adapted to be extended into the firstchamber to open a second compartment of a unit dose package by arrangingthe housing structure from the first position to the second position.18. The dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the second compartmentpiercing element comprises a centrifugal pivoting member adapted forcentrifugal actuation during a spin cycle of a washing machine.
 19. Thedispenser according to claim 16, wherein the housing structure furtherincludes a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber,and wherein the housing structure is adapted to substantially containlaundry additive material in the second chamber during a spin cycle of awashing machine.
 20. The dispenser according to claim 19, wherein thehousing structure further comprises a third chamber in fluidcommunication with the second chamber, and a dam positioned between thesecond chamber and the third chamber, wherein the dam is adapted tosubstantially inhibit flow of laundry additive material from the secondchamber to the third chamber during the spin cycle and the dam isadapted to substantially permit a gravitational flow of laundry additivematerial over the dam and into the third chamber after a spin cycle. 21.The dispenser according to claim 20, wherein the third chamber isadapted to substantially contain laundry additive material after thespin cycle until after a predetermined water level is reached in thewashing machine during a rinse cycle of a washing machine.
 22. Thedispenser according to claim 16, wherein the first compartment piercingelements are pivotally attached to the housing structure for pivotalretraction from the first chamber and pivotal extension into the firstchamber.
 23. A dispenser adapted to receive a unit dose packageincluding a first compartment, a second compartment and optionally atleast a third compartment, for introducing first, second and optionallyat least third laundry additive materials to an automatic washingmachine, the dispenser comprising: a housing structure comprising afirst chamber adapted to receive a unit dose package, and a secondchamber in fluid communication with the first chamber, wherein thehousing structure is arrangeable in a first position to receive a unitdose package and a second position to secure a unit dose package in thefirst chamber; first compartment piercing elements adapted to open afirst compartment and optionally a third compartment, by arranging thehousing structure from the first position to the second position; and asecond compartment piercing element adapted to open a secondcompartment; wherein the housing structure is adapted to dispense afirst laundry additive material and optionally a third laundry additivematerial by gravitational flow from the dispenser in a wash cycle of awashing machine, and wherein the housing structure is adapted to receiveand substantially contain a second laundry additive material in thesecond chamber during a spin cycle of a washing machine.
 24. Thedispenser according to claim 23, wherein the housing structure furthercomprises a third chamber in fluid communication with the secondchamber, and a dam positioned between the second chamber and the thirdchamber, wherein the dam is adapted to substantially inhibit flow oflaundry additive material from the second chamber to the third chamberduring the spin cycle and the dam is adapted to substantially permit agravitational flow of laundry additive material over the dam and intothe third chamber after a spin cycle.
 25. A method of introducinglaundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine, the methodcomprising: attaching a dispenser to a drum of a washing machine, thedispenser including a housing structure arrangeable in a first positionand a second position and comprising a first chamber, first compartmentpiercing elements, and a second compartment piercing element; insertinga unit dose package into the first chamber while the dispenser isarranged in the first position, the unit dose package including a firstcompartment containing a first laundry additive material and a secondcompartment containing a second laundry additive material, andoptionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundryadditive material; arranging the dispenser in the second position tosecure the unit dose package in the first chamber, open the firstcompartment with a first compartment piercing element, and release thefirst laundry additive material from the unit dose package forgravitational flow from the dispenser, and, if a third compartment isincluded, open the third compartment with a first compartment piercingelement and release the third laundry additive material from the unitdose package for gravitational flow from the dispenser; opening thesecond compartment with the second compartment piercing element, thesecond laundry additive material being substantially contained withinthe second compartment prior to a spin cycle; initiating a wash cycle ofthe washing machine wherein the first laundry additive material is mixedwith water within the washing machine; initiating the spin cycle of thewashing machine such that the second laundry additive material isreleased from the second compartment and substantially contained withinthe dispenser during the spin cycle; and initiating a rinse cycle of thewashing machine such that the second laundry additive material isreleased from the dispenser and mixed with water contained within thewashing machine drum.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the secondcompartment is opened with the second compartment piercing element whenthe dispenser is arranged in the second position.
 27. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the second compartment is opened with the secondcompartment piercing element during the spin cycle.
 28. The method ofclaim 25, further comprising the steps of containing the second laundryadditive material in the dispenser after the spin cycle until after apredetermined water level is reached in the washing machine during therinse cycle.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the unit dose packageincludes a third compartment containing a third laundry additivematerial.
 30. The system according to claim 1, wherein the piercingelements are adapted to be fully retracted from the first chamber whenthe housing structure is arranged in the first position.
 31. The systemaccording to claim 30, wherein a bottom plate of the first chamber ispivotable to an upward position when the housing structure is arrangedin the first position, wherein the piercing elements are fully retractedfrom the first chamber and contact between a user's hand in the firstchamber and a piercing element is prevented, and wherein the bottomplate is pivotable to a downward position wherein at least the firstpiercing elements are adapted to extend into the first chamber when thehousing structure is arranged in the second position.
 32. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is adapted to receive rinsewater in a washing machine rinse cycle to rinse remaining laundryadditive from the dispenser.
 33. The dispenser according to claim 16,wherein the piercing elements are adapted to be fully retracted from thefirst chamber when the housing structure is arranged in the firstposition.
 34. The dispenser according to claim 33, wherein a bottomplate of the first chamber is pivotable to an upward position when thehousing structure is arranged in the first position, wherein thepiercing elements are fully retracted from the first chamber and contactbetween a user's hand in the first chamber and a piercing element isprevented, and wherein the bottom plate is pivotable to a downwardposition wherein at least the first piercing elements are adapted toextend into the first chamber when the housing structure is arranged inthe second position.
 35. The dispenser according to claim 16, whereinthe dispenser is adapted to receive rinse water in a washing machinerinse cycle to rinse remaining laundry additive from the dispenser. 36.The dispenser according to claim 23, wherein the piercing elements areadapted to be fully retracted from the first chamber when the housingstructure is arranged in the first position.
 37. The dispenser accordingto claim 36, wherein a bottom plate of the first chamber is pivotable toan upward position when the housing structure is arranged in the firstposition, wherein the piercing elements are fully retracted from thefirst chamber and contact between a user's hand in the first chamber anda piercing element is prevented, and wherein the bottom plate ispivotable to a downward position wherein at least the first piercingelements are adapted to extend into the first chamber when the housingstructure is arranged in the second position.
 38. The dispenseraccording to claim 23, wherein the dispenser is adapted to receive rinsewater in a washing machine rinse cycle to rinse remaining laundryadditive from the dispenser.
 39. The method according to claim 25,wherein the dispenser receives rinse water during the rinse cycle torinse remaining laundry additive from the dispenser.